The fast-food value menu wars have reached a fever pitch in 2025, with chains deploying military-grade menu engineering to win over customers. As a $7 combo becomes the new $5 meal, we’ve dissected over 100 promotional deals across various fast food chains to bring you this definitive ranking of culinary calculus – where every cent counts and flavor still reigns supreme.
This year’s standout deals aren’t just about portion sizes but strategic value: Sonic’s daily rotating discounts that turn Tuesday dinners into treasure hunts, Taco Bell’s modular Cravings Boxes that assemble like edible LEGO sets, and Chili’s sneaking into the fast-food fray with steak dinners at burger joint prices.
Now, on to the standout value menus worth your hard-earned cash this year.
McDonald’s McValue Menu
Price: $5 meal deal / BOGO $1 add-ons
What’s included: For just five bucks, you can score a McDouble or a McChicken sandwich, four-piece Chicken McNuggets, small fries, and a small soft drink.
With the Buy One, Add One for $1 promo, you’d have to purchase one full-priced McValue menu item to be able to add another menu item of your choosing for $1. Breakfast options include items like the Sausage McMuffin, Hash Browns, and Sausage Burrito, while lunch/dinner options feature items such as the six-piece Chicken McNuggets, Double Cheeseburgers, and small fries.
You also get the best of in-app-exclusive deals with this promotion — like the free medium fries every Friday with a $1+ order, a free McCrispy sandwich for new users, and geo-specific steals like $1 iced coffees.
Why it slaps: The McValue platform directly addresses criticisms of rising fast-food prices by offering affordable, customizable options. It also leverages digital engagement through app-exclusive deals and collaborations with other brands.
Burger King’s $5 Duos & $7 Trios
Burger King’s 2025 value meal lineup offers budget-friendly customization with $5 Duos (two items) and $7 Trios (three items).
Mix-and-Match Options:
$5 Duos: You can select two items from options like the Whopper Jr., Bacon Cheeseburger, Original Chicken Sandwich, 8-piece chicken fries, Medium fries, and drinks.
$7 Trios: This tier allows three items from the same selection with similar mix-and-match flexibility. The deal emphasizes BK’s “Have It Your Way” customization approach, enabling combinations like three Whopper Juniors for $7.
Point to be noted: The combo deal is available from now through spring and does not include delivery orders.
Taco Bell’s Updated Luxe Craving Boxes
The 3-tier Luxe Cravings Box packages multiple fan-favorite items into a single discounted bundle that’s developed a strong following among fans.
The $5, $7, and $9 combos include the Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, Crunchy Taco, a medium fountain drink and cinnamon twists, Chicken Chalupa Supreme ($7 tier box), Chips & Nacho Cheese Sauce ($7 tier box) and rotating new items like Doritos Locos Tacos ($9 tier box) offering 55% savings compared to purchasing these items individually.
Why it slaps: Taco Bell’s menu engineering turns pocket change into a fiesta. The $7 box—a burrito, taco, chips, drink, and dessert—remains a cult favorite.
Wendy’s 2 for $7 Deal
Wendy’s 2025 value deal offers flexible 2-for-$7 mix-and-match combos across multiple proteins.
Price: $7 for two items
Options include choosing between any two main items:
Dave’s Single burger, a Spicy Chicken Sandwich, a Classic Chicken Sandwich, or a 10-piece chicken nugget. Customers can mix and match items, creating 16 possible combinations.
Point to be noted: Wendy’s 2 for $7 Deal is valid nationwide, though prices may vary in Alaska and Hawaii. You can either place your order via the Wendy’s app or request it in-store. The deal expires on March 2, 2025.
Subway’s Meal of the Day Promotion
Subway’s Meal of the Day promotion, launched on January 6, 2025, provides a rotating selection of subs paired with sides and a drink. For $6.99, you can get a 6-inch sub, two cookies or a bag of chips, and a small fountain soda. For $9.99, the deal upgrades to a foot-long sub with the same sides and drink.
The deal features seven specialty subs: Monday’s Cold Cut Combo, Tuesday’s All-Pro Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki, Wednesday’s Meatball Marinara, Thursday’s Baja Chipotle Chicken, Friday’s Tuna, Saturday’s Ultimate B.M.T., and Sunday’s Philly.
Why it’s hot: The daily rotation keeps things interesting, allowing customers to try different subs throughout the week without breaking the bank.
The Daily Cravings & Savings menu is a rotating promotion by Sonic, with the menu for February offering various discounts and deals throughout the week.
Mondays feature $1.99 Quarter Pound Double Cheeseburgers, while Tuesdays bring half-price Classic Sonic Cheeseburgers after 5 p.m. (exclusively through the app or online). Thursdays are for Chili Cheese Coney lovers with a $1.49 deal. Daily discounts include half-price drinks and slushes for app and online orders.
The Fun.99 Menu rounds out the offerings with $1.99 treats like Grilled Cheese Burgers, Queso Wraps, Small Cream Slushes, and Soft Pretzel Twists, making the everyday deal a budget-friendly feast.
Why it’s hot: The Fun.99 Menu offers Grilled Cheese Burgers and Queso Wraps for just $1.99.
Dairy Queen’s $7 Meal Deal
This value-packed offer includes a choice between an Original Cheeseburger or 3-piece Chicken Strips paired with crispy full-size regular fries, a 21 oz. drink, which is topped off with a sundae made with DQ’s world-famous soft serve (hot fudge, strawberry, or chocolate).
Available all day, every day, this deal combines a satisfying savory meal with a sweet treat, making it a standout option for diners.
Why it’s hot: The inclusion of a sundae sets this apart from typical value meals, offering dessert without extra cost. Plus, you get full-size portions — none of that “kids’ sizes” for fries or drinks.
White Castle’s $5 Sloppy Joe Combo Deal
White Castle is bringing retro comfort food into 2025’s value wars with its limited-time Sloppy Joe Combo. For $5, you get two messy-but-worth-it Sloppy Joe Sliders (ground beef smothered in tangy sauce), crispy small fries, and a small drink. Craver Nation Rewards members score an upgrade to a medium drink and can swap fries for Mac & Cheese Nibblers at no extra cost.
Why it’s hot: This deal combines seasonal comfort food with pre-inflation pricing, offering nostalgia at an accessible cost. The deal is available through mid-February at participating locations.
Jack in the Box’s $5 All-Day Big Meal (Updated)
With Jack in the Box’s $5 All-Day Big Meal ($6 in regions like Los Angeles), you can choose one entrée from options like the Double Jr. Jumbo Jack with Cheese, Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, Jr. Chicken Sandwich, or Supreme Croissant.
You can then pair it with two sides (first side: potato item – Value Fries, Curly Fries, or Hash Browns; second side: non-potato item – Tiny Tacos or Chicken Nuggets) and a drink (fountain soda, lemonade, tea, or coffee) all for 5 bucks. The promotion is available 24/7 at participating locations through February 16, 2025.
Pro Tip: Opt for the Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger with Curly Fries (potato side) and Tiny Tacos (non-potato side) for a hearty, cost-effective meal.
Chili’s 3 For Me $10.99+ Deal
This casual dining value meal includes an appetizer, entrée, and non-alcoholic drink starting at $10.99. You can choose from entrées like the Big Smasher Burger, Chicken Crispers, or Cajun Shrimp Pasta, with premium upgrades (e.g., the 6-oz Classic Sirloin), which will set you back by $16.99. Appetizer options range from Chips & Salsa to soups and salads.
For an additional $3.99, guests can upgrade to shareable starters like the Triple Dipper or swap their drink for a frozen/classic margarita. This is available all day, every day.
Weekday Lunch Bonus (Mon-Fri, 11 AM-3 PM):
The 3 For Lunch Combos – part of the 3 For Me lineup – start at $10.99 and include bottomless chips/salsa with unlimited non-alcoholic drinks. Lunch-specific entrées like the Chipotle Chicken Fresh Mex Bowl or Triple Dipper are available during these hours.